On the ballot... TSPLOST

Early County voters have already approved a TSPLOST referendum, but in 2013 Early County was lumped into the Southwest region with Calhoun, Colquitt, Decatur, Dougherty, Grady, Lee, Mitchell, Seminole, Terrell, Thomas and Worth counties.

Early County was one of only four counties, including Mitchell, Calhoun and Terrell, whose voters approved the region proposal. 57% of the region’s voters opposed the regional TSPLOST.

The regional concept developed by state leaders didn’t go over very well across the rest of the state, either, as nine of the 12 Regional TSPLOST plans were defeated.

With only 46 counties in those three districts able to benefit from TSPLOST funds, the legislature subsequently passed HB134 providing for Single County TSPLOST referendums. A number of individual counties have since approved TSPLOST referendums.

The Early County Board of Commissioners and municipal representatives in the county determined earlier this year it will be in the county’s best interest to call for another TSPLOST referendum.

The referendum will be on the May 22 ballot seeking renewed approval to impose the Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax to begin Jan. 1, 2019.

The News encourages voters to support the TSPLOST referendum to help provide a safe and well maintained transportation system in Early County.